Saddle Pass Trail

Badlands National Park

The Saddle Pass Trail is one of the Badlands' shorter but more difficult maintained trails in terms of terrain and elevation gain. The rock formation up which you'll climb is strikingly colorful, highlighted by red, pink and deep purple striations. Despite its benign appearance, the rugged trail follows a steep, unevenly eroded gully that can be especially hazardous during or after rainstorms.

The Saddle Pass Trail climbs this colorful formation and meets up with the Castle Trail.

Climbing the formations can be difficult due to the unstable nature of the clay, ash and mud that make up the Badland Wall.

The short hike to the top of Saddle Pass rewards visitors with a sweeping southern view of the Badlands.

Erosion in the Badlands occurs at a geologically alarming rate ensuring you'll rarely see the same exact formation twice.